Eastman-Kodak Company

Warner P Carlson

Lawrence W Wirth

Dale B Parks

Howard C Deck

A disk-loading station for an automated disk library includes a 'lazy-Susan' mechanism which enables disks to be loaded into the library from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the disks are ultimately transported within the library. Such a loading station enables disks to be loaded through the front wall of the disk library, rather than through an end wall which would increase the space requirements for the library.

Disk-loading station for automated disk library

Disclosed herein is an automated library for data storage disks. Such library comprises at least one disk drive, means for storing a large number of disks, and disk transport means for transporting disks between the disk drive and disk-storing means. The disk-transporting means comprises a bi-directional disk picker assembly which operates to convey selected disks into and out of the disk-storing means and disk drive. A movably mounted drive unit functions to rotatably support the disk picker assembly for movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the direction in which disks are conveyed by such assembly, whereby 'picked' disks can be flipped 180 degrees to present either side to the disk drive. The picker assembly handles each disk by means of a carrier, a generally rectangular frame which surrounds and releasably captures a disk. The picker mechanism is adapted to handle such carrier in any one of four different orientations. A single DC servo motor functions to selectively drive each of two disk conveyors in the picker assembly, as well as to selectively rotate the picker assembly.

Automated library for data storage disks

Disclosed herein is a carrier for a rigid data storage disk, e.g. an optical, magnetic or magneto-optic disk, for facilitating the transport of such disk within a disk library or the like. Such carrier comprises a generally rectangular frame which is provided with a pair of racks of teeth along opposing lateral edges. Such racks are adapted to be engaged by a toothed conveyor for advancing the carrier along a desired path.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Warner P Carlson